A primary school teacher in Paniqui, Tarlac is facing investigation after he was alleged to have molested his eight-year-old student at school.

The teacher, a 23-year-old Grade 3 class adviser, was arrested at the school on October 30, 2025 but was released later after inquest proceedings on October 31 while investigation continues.

The child’s mother said her daughter refused to attend classes suddenly and kept saying, “dark room.” The child would then tell the family later what allegedly happened and they immediately reported it to police on October 29.

“Hindi na mababalik! Hindi na mababalik! Nato-trauma yung anak ko! Lagi niyang sinasabi, ‘Mama, dark room. Ayoko pumasok sa dark room.’ Anong ginawa mo?! Adviser ka ng anak ko! Adviser ka ng anak ko! Akala ko diba yung teacher pangalawang magulang? Bakit mo ginanon yung anak ko? Bakit mo pinaranas sa anak ko yun? Paano mabubura yun ngayon sa anak ko?!” Loida said.

School officials told reporters they have suspended the teacher and have locked the room referred to by pupils as the “dark room” or “confession room.”

The school said it will install CCTV cameras and enforce a strict “no-touch” policy while cooperating with the police probe.

Police said the teacher had denied the accusation.

“Wala po siyang ibang sinabi kundi dini-deny niya po yung ni-report sa kanya na pangmomolestya,” PLTCOL. Samuel Quibete, chief of Paniqui Police Station, said.

ILLEGAL ARREST?

The teacher’s lawyer had argued that the arrest was illegal, and the suspect was released after the prosecutor ordered inquest proceedings instead of detention.

But Quibete insisted the arrest was legal.

“Sa amin po ay legal yung pag-aresto namin… based sa ating prosecutor… not sufficient for inquest proceeding but sufficient for conduct of preliminary investigation and released for further investigation po yung ating suspek,” Quibete said.

The school principal told reporters the institution will help investigators and talk to both the child’s family and the teacher to establish facts.

Authorities said other students were reportedly brought one by one into the same room by the teacher, though the mother says only her child was molested.

Police are interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence as the case progresses.

The Paniqui police station said it will continue its investigation and submit findings to the prosecutor for possible filing of charges. The school said it will brief parents on safety measures and work with DepEd on any further steps to protect students.

JUSTICE

Loida appealed for justice and action from authorities and education officials.

“Hustisya po ang kailangan ko. Kaya nananawagan po ako. Maawa na po kayo,” she said.

“Mayor, tulungan mo ko. Mayor, tulungan nyo po ako. Sa DepEd, dapat yan. Dapat yan. Hanggat maari, tanggalan nyo ng lisensya yan. Hindi tama yung ginawa niya,” she added.